Volunteer Firefighter

Department:
Fire EMS

Position:
Volunteer Firefighter

Status:
Volunteer

FLSA:
Non-Exempt

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

This is a non-exempt position performing fire suppression, prevention, life safety duties, ambulance and other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

* High school diploma or equivalent

* Valid driver's license

* The ability to learn firefighting skills, first aid, apparatus and equipment maintenance

* The ability to respond to the assigned station within 7 minutes of being dispatched.

* The applicant is required to pass a basic pre-hire physical, drug screen, and background check.

* Preference will be given to applicants who possess Firefighter I or above.

RESPONSIBILITES

The Volunteer Firefighter:

* performs firefighting duties such as combating, extinguishing and preventing fires, and answering emergency calls with an engine, ladder, or other miscellaneous vehicles

* lays and connects hoses, directs water onto burning structures, raises and climbs ladders, uses other firefighting techniques such as ventilating burning buildings (chopping holes in floors or roofs)

* administers first aid to injured persons

* performs salvage operations

* inspects assigned district to assure knowledge of access, fire hazards, etc.

* responds and performs emergency medical assistance to level of certified training

* trains for and participates in the protection of life and property by firefighting, rescue and emergency medical activities

* participates in fire drills and attends training classes in firefighting, first aid and other related subjects; attends a minimum of 50% of annual trainings (2-3 trainings held per month)

* attends a minimum of 6 Vermillion Fire Department business meetings (of the 12 held annually)

* handles routine custodial maintenance of the Fire Department equipment (such as oxygen breathing equipment, resuscitation equipment, etc.) apparatus and quarters

* conforms to the safety requirements of the Fire Department

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Essential working conditions and physical requirements may be affected by, but not limited to the following environmental factors:

* Operate both as an employee of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration.

* Spend extensive time outside exposed to the elements.

* Tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing duties. Must perform physically demanding work in hot (up to 400 degrees), humid (up to 100%) atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms.

* Experience frequent transition from hot to cold and from humid to dry atmospheres.

* Work in wet, icy or muddy areas.

* Perform a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces such as rooftops or ladders.

* Work in areas where sustaining traumatic or thermal injuries is possible.

* Face exposure to infectious agents such as Hepatitis B or HIV.

* Face exposure to carcinogenic dusts such as asbestos, toxic substances such as hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, or organic solvents either inhalation or skin contact.

* Wear personal protection equipment that weighs approximately 50 lbs. while performing tasks.

* Must be able to frequently lift objects weighing 50-100 pounds

* Perform physically demanding work while wearing positive pressure breathing equipment with 1.5 inches of water column resistance to exhalation at a flow of 40 liters per minute (lpm).

* Perform complex tasks during life-threatening emergencies.

* Work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration.

* Face life or death decisions during emergency conditions.

* Exposed to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims.

* Make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods.

* Operate in environments of high noise, poor visibility, limited mobility---at heights and in enclosed or confined spaces.

* Use manual and power tools in the performance of duties.

* Rely on speech, as well as senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environment…